Welcome to week four of our review of the Obscure Muscle Car Garage, and this time we are looking at the Obscure Muscle Trucks that were outlined in this series. I had more than a little fun with this particular subset of the Obscure Muscle Car Garage because, well because they were in fact Trucks, and not cars… That’s what makes this review so bizarre because nominating a truck is a true “Left-of-Center” decision on my part, and you seem to agree with me (well, mostly agree!) So, it is now time for you to consider what truck to kick to the curb. Ready? GO!

One of my first truck nominees is actually called a “Ute” in the land down under. While the Chevrolet ElCamino SS would have been a classic choice, this is the Obscure Muscle Car Garage, and I chose instead to highlight it’s corporate cousin, the GMC Sprint SP from 1971-72. It was everything the ElCamino SS was, except rarer. Many of you agreed, and it was voted into the garage by 89% of our readers.Read the original article here, and see if this GMC stays in the Garage.

There were two distinct generations of the Ford SVT Lightning Pickup. The rather sedate 1993-95 version, and the rip-roaring Supercharged 1999-2003 versions. I lumped them both together in one post, though now I wish I had seperate postings for each. The second series in particular could put legitimate Muscle Cars to shame with the performance of the Supercharged SOHC 5.4L Triton V8. Our readers decided to induct both versions by 73%. See the original article, and decide which version (if any) should be eliminated.

The Dodge Warlock and Li’l Red Express Trucks, built between 1976-79 (Warlock) and 1978-79 (Li’l Red Express) was a way of Chrysler to expand on the Adult Toy Market, which was just beginning to come into its own by this time. Of note, the Li’l Red Express was the next fastest Production Vehicle offered at this time, right behind the Corvette. Think about that for a second… These were perfect candidates for the Obscure Muscle Car Garage, and 69% of you that voted agreed with me. See the original article here, and see if either one of these entries should be kicked out.

The 1990-93 Chevrolet Silverado SS was the next truck to be highlighted for the Obscure Muscle Car Garage, and it took the classic Muscle Car formula of a cheap and easy to operate vehicle, and stuff it with the biggest engine available, in this case a 454 CID V-8. It was very crude, available only in one wheelbase, and one cab configuration, along with 3 different colors (eventually). 71% of our readers that voted decided to induct this vehicle. Read the original post here, and see if it stays.

The Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T was the next truck to be highlighted for the Obscure Muscle Car Garage. R/T stood for Road and Track, and was the performance badge of the Dodge Division before SRT. This was the classic Muscle Car Formula, only with a twist. Chrysler did stuff their largest V-8 at the time into the engine compartment, but then they added lower profile rubber, and a lowered suspension setup, that actually helped in cornering (though it was lousy for load carrying capabilities). 62% of those that voted agreed to induct this later day Muscle Truck. See the original article here, and see if this Dakota stays in the Garage.

The previous version of the Chevrolet Colorado was in all reality the last small pickup offered by General Motors. It was designed in conjunction with GM’s Japanese Partner Isuzu, and was introduced in the fall of 2004 with a choice of 4-cylinder and 5-cylinder power. These were adequate,if not exciting options, but something new was introduced for the 2009 model year. with the introduction of a highly engineered 5.3L V-8 designed to fit into the tight confines of the Colorado Engine Bay. It produced 300 HP, and was only available with a 4-speed automatic. Our readers, to the tune of 42%, voted to induct this Colorado into the Garage. Read the original article here, and see if you think it should stay.

A very interesting addition to the Obscure Muscle Car Garage was a model that is not necessarily known for producing Muscle Cars. This is the Saab 9-7x, which was really a version of the Chevrolet Trailblaser SS, only in a tailored suit. A 390 HP V-8 was stuffed under the hood, and a legend was born… well at least for a couple of years. Almost 50% of you that voted agreed to induct this Saab from another Mother into the Obscure Muscle Car Garage. See the Original Article Here, and vote to see if it stays.

The 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota was then next on deck. Here is a truck that was attached to one of the most iconic names in performance car history, Shelby. Remember though, this was in fact 1989, and performance and muscle was in rather short supply. Still, this was equipped with the 5.9L (360 CID) V-8 shoehorned into a tight engine compartment. Few were built, fewer survive. 52% of those that voted decided to induct the Shelby Dakota anyway. Read the original article here, and decide whether to keep it or not.

Another Chrysler Product, this time in the form of a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited. Once again, this is a truck that uses the old Muscle Car Formula… Stuff the largest V-8 into a rather pedestrian model, and you get a performance monster. Only this time it has All Wheel Drive, something only dreamed of by other Muscle Cars. 65% of our readers that voted agreed with me, and inducted the SUV into the Garage. Read the original post, and decide whether or not to kick out this Muscle Truck.

So, those are the Muscle Truck inductees. It is now time for you to vote one of these out… or not. Once I run the entire review, which should take another 6 weeks, we will see how many of the vehicles will be thrown out of the Garage. Remember, you can make a difference here, so continue to follow this series, and tell me how much you seem to like it (or not…)

Which of these Muscle Trucks should be voted out of the Hooniverse Obscure Muscle Car Garage?

This ain't a popularity contest. I don't know of anyone that HASN'T heard of the SVT Lightning, but if you ask most anyone who isn't a diehard GM fan about the Colorado SS, you'll likely be met with a black stare.

But maybe I've misunderstood the point of the OMCG in the first place, and this will make me look like a fool. My wife will be the first one to tell you that missing the point is a specialty of mine.

wunno sev

glad i read this post before voting. i voted for the supercharged Lightning.

skitter

I've been under the impression it's more of an anti-popularity contest where we also accept old favorites.

ptschett

Many of these are an "obscure muscle car" only in the sense of not having a strong claim upon the word "car".
Lightning, 454SS, Little Red Express, Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited were the halo models of their lineups – not exactly obscure.
I'd argue that Colorado/Canyon were just trying to get some sales that otherwise might have been Dodge Dakotas.
There were scads of Dakota R/T's around. (And even more that were a lowlier model, then the owner decided to add the sticker.)
I'll give the Warlock, Trollblazer, and maaaybe the Shelby Dakota "obscure" but they're still not cars.
If the Syclone and Typhoon were on this list, they'd be my pick to vote out. Limited production, yes; obscure, hell no.

All that leaves is the GMC Sprint, which is both half-car and vastly more obscure than its sibling El Camino. The rest can go to the hoon-worthy truck garage.

ratpatrol66

Why in the hell is the GMC Syclone not on the list???

1977chevytruck

Okay, now to add my $0.02. I'm not go to go in the whole definition of "obscure" and everything, but… what makes the Warlock a muscle car/ truck? I have nothing against it, and firmly believe it's brother the Red Express belongs here, but unlike the Red Express there was nothing to make it faster than a regular truck. All it was was a fancy dress package! Not a speed package!